Catherine Hunt

I am committed to providing therapeutic interventions with a difference that are effective for short or long-term work. Child psychotherapy Auckland / Animal-assisted psychotherapy Auckland.

Counselling/Therapy Services

I am a qualified and registered Child and adolescent psychotherapist. My specialism is helping children, young people and their families with feelings and behaviors. I liaise closely with parents/caregivers to hear their concerns, offer support and provide practical solutions while keeping them informed and updated with their child/young person’s progress. I am trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy but in my practice, I use a range of therapeutic models according to age, individual, and family needs. Some of these models include Psychodynamic Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Psycho-Education.

I also offer Animal-assisted psychotherapy with my facility dog Riley formerly from Assistance dogs NZ as well as equine-assisted psychotherapy with horses.

Areas of Specialty

• Anxiety, separation anxiety, and social anxiety
• Depression
• Child/Adolescent -parent relationship difficulties
• Adjustment problems including parental separation
• Grief and loss for all ages
• Behaviour problems – Bullying, School refusal, Anger etc
• Friendship issues
• Attachment problems
• Effects of trauma, abuse and neglect
• Eating disorders (FBT trained)

Counselling/Therapy Approach

Interventions are tailored to best suited to the child or young person’s age and stage of development. The work is suitable for children aged 5 up to late adolescents and young adulthood. All sessions are 50 minutes and can be offered weekly or fortnightly.

Children will be seen in a playroom to facilitate their expression through play, adolescents will be more likely to talk about what is happening for them but may also appreciate other forms of expression such as art or the sand tray. This type of therapy helps children to find ways of verbalising their feelings rather than act them out. The aim is to offer a safe therapeutic space for children and their parents/whanau and caregivers.

I use a mix of: child and adolescent psychotherapy, relational psychodynamic psychotherapy,  animal-assisted psychotherapy, canine-assisted psychotherapy,  equine-assisted psychotherapy, and family-based therapy (FBT).

Background and Experience

I have been working in mental health since 2018 and have worked for DHBS and NGO services across Auckland in both tertiary services and community care. I spent 11 years teaching ECE and primary school before moving into mental health.